Sunday Homes: Refuge with a view

CORPUS CHRISTI - A warm, rich orange exterior leads into peace and open spaces inside at Karin and Barry Gilliams' contemporary Ingleside on the Bay home. The abode overlooks the sparkling bay by day and the city's lights by night. With two oak-filled lots there's plenty to look out to from the gourmet kitchen with a Wolf, six-burner stove/convection oven and a marble pastry area. And the bedrooms have enough space for a sitting area, allowing for private time when guests are visiting.

Why do you love your home? Our panoramic view of the downtown Corpus Christi skyline and the ships sailing by is always amazing and changes everyday. We have the best of both worlds; a waterview homesite but we are also high on a bluff covered with live oak trees.

Why did you decide on this home? Our home is unique and makes us feel like we are at a resort, but it was definitely the breathtaking view that made our decision.

Best home project I've completed here and why: Painting the walls in beach colors.

I get ideas/inspiration for my house by... reading Architectural Digest magazine.

Something no one knows about my home: The architect that designed our home originally planned for it to include a third level master bedroom.

I save lots of money on my home by: Our lower level is exposed only on one side so it stays cool in the summer.

A home item I can't live without: I love to cook so that would be our Wolfe gas stove. It is a commercial grade, six-burner gas stove with a convection oven.

My home's best feature: The back deck overlooking the water.

A home I'd love to see inside: Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Waters.

My dream home would include... a lap pool.

Three words that describe my home: Unique, colorful, cheerful.

If my kitchen walls could talk: Our kitchen has features a gourmet cook would love including a commercial Wolfe gas stove, a built-in marble pastry slab, a separate prep area and second sink and custom cabinets for equipment.

What I like most about my home: The wide-open floor plan and deck is great for indoor/outdoor entertaining and parties.

Favorite room: Our living room. It has a beautiful wet bar and built-in bookcases and shelves that are reminiscent of those onboard a yacht. The custom cabinetry was built with outstanding quality and precision.

Three items homeowners definitely need are... We need binoculars for identifying ships, kayaks for boating in the bay, and a crab trap for fresh seafood.

My next home project: It would probably be a lap pool.

A funny story about my home: We have wonderful wildlife on the property that are great fun to watch – racoons, birds, deer, foxes.

Unannounced guests would find my home... a fun place to be.

I'll never throw out my... seashell collection. Each one was a memento of a walk on the beach with our children and friends.

I'm currently in search of this for my home: A more powerful telescope for stargazing.

Worst home advice I ever received: Paint the walls all white.

Best home advice I ever received: Buy a beach house that is high enough that you don't have to worry about flooding.

I have an impressive collection of... We now have three kayaks.

I will always have space in my home for: Guests.

My home can never have too many... sand buckets, beach chairs and kites.